V. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT FORT UNION AND FORT CLARK, ON THE UPPER MISSOURI
[Condensed by Asa Currier Tilton]
These observations consist of those which were made by Prince Maximilian at Fort Clark in 1833-34, and of extracts from the records kept at Fort Union for the two years preceding, by Mr. Mc Kenzie. The observations were systematized by Prof. Mädler, then at Dorpat, but formerly at Berlin. His conclusions and comments are printed in his own words.
A table is given of the observations at Fort Union in 1832-33. It shows the monthly average and the daily variation of temperature. The daily and annual variations are found to be greater than in Europe, even in the interior of Russia; and are those of a typical continental climate. Some variations are manifestly unusual. The period of observation in so variable a climate is too short to reduce the figures to a formula; but a table of the differences is given, and some of the most marked variations and apparent exceptions are discussed.
The observations of the principal winds are given in another table. Here, also, the period of observation is too short for definite results; but more correspondence is found with Europe than in the case of temperature. As in Europe, the north and the south winds are rarest, the former especially.
Still another table shows the influence of the winds on temperature. This is valuable in spite of the short period covered. The south wind is found to be the warmest; and the northwest wind, followed by the northeast, the coldest. There is too little north wind to conclude that it is regularly as warm as the data indicate.
The southwest wind keeps its place throughout the year, the northwest wind only in the autumn and winter; in the spring and summer, the northeast wind takes its place as the coldest. For all the seasons, the east wind corresponds most nearly to the average temperature.
The observations at Fort Clark are given in similar tables. From November to the latter part of January the cold increased; the first part of February was decidedly warmer. The winter was very cold not alone in the Missouri valley but in the Atlantic states as well; it was, however, one of the mildest on record in Europe.
The table on the winds indicates none which corresponds to the average temperature. The northwest and west winds vary from it but little, however. The mildest wind seems to be the southwest; while the greatest cold seems to coincide with the northeast wind.
Another table gives the cloudy and clear days, and indicates their relation to temperature. From November to the beginning of March the clear mornings are the colder; in the latter part of March there is no difference. In December, January, and February the clear middays are the colder; for the rest of the time, the cloudy or neutral days are coldest. In January, the neutral days are the warmest.
VI. BIRD CALENDAR FOR THE REGION OF THE MANDAN VILLAGES, IN THE WINTER OF 1833-34[274]
October
Beginning. Residents: Cathartes septentrionalis;[275] Aquila leucocephala; Falco sparverius; strix virginiana, asio; Corvus corax, americanus audub.; Pica hudsonica; Lanius septentrionalis; Alcedo alcyon; Quiscalus versicolor; Parus atricapillus; Sturnella ludoviciana; Picus villosus, pubescens; Tetrao phasianellus; Tringa; Totanus; Anas boschas fera, crecca, discors; Fulica americana.[276]
Middle. Residents: Same as above. Some of the following begin to migrate: Cathartes; Falcones; Corvus amer.; Alcedo; Quiscalus; Sturnella; Fringilla erythrophthalma; Fulica; Tringa; Totanus (even earlier); Pelecanus trachyrynchos lath.;[277] grus, and recurvirostra.
Migrants: Quiscalus vers.; Sturnella; Anser hyperboreus, canadensis; all species of Mergus and Anas, among them Anas sponsa;[278] likewise Pelecanus.
Birds of passage: Turdus migrat.; Grus, both species; Pelecanus.
End. Residents: Tetrao phasian.; Corvus corax; Pica huds.; Picus pubesc., villosus; Parus atricap.; Aquila leucoc.; Alcedo alcyon (now migrating).
Migrants: Quiscalus, solitary; Anser canad.; Ansas boschas, crecca, discors; Cygnus; Mergus; Fringilla linaria, including unfamiliar species.
November
Beginning. Residents: Strix virgin., asio; Corvus corax; Pica huds.; Tetrao phasian.; Lanius septentr.
Migrants: Aquila leucoc.; Anas; Mergus; Cygnus; Anser.
Middle. Residents: Same as in beginning of month.
Migrants: Fring. linaria; Emberiza nivalis; Bombycilla garrula.
End. Residents: As above.
Migrants: As in the middle of the month.
December
Beginning. Residents: As above.
Migrants: As in end of November; Bombycilla garrula.
Middle. Same as in beginning of month.
End. Same as in middle of month.
January
Same as in December; finches and buntings no longer occur.
February
Beginning. Same as in January; no finches or snow buntings.
Middle. Residents: Fring. linaria; Ember. nivalis in small finches and snow buntings often very numerous.
March
Beginning. Same as in February.
Middle. Residents: Same as in the winter.
Migrants: Ember. nivalis; Fring. linaria.
Birds of passage: Anas boschas. The first ducks were seen on the thirteenth of March; they were flying up the Missouri. On the fourteenth the first prairie hen (Tetrao phasian.) called. On the fifteenth a small flock of gray finches (Fring. canad.?) appeared; and on the sixteenth the first swan. Ducks now appear daily.